Windscreen wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed. Neighbouring ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected respective connecting pieces. The connecting piece comprises engaging members engaging around the longitudinal strips, wherein the strips and the connecting piece are slidably connected by means of a snap connection. At least one pin extending in a direction perpendicular o the windscreen to be wiped engages the wiper blade at a location of a hole in one of the longitudinal strips to block longitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative to the strip in a longitudinal direction thereof away from the connecting piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Continuation Patent Application claims the benefit of U.S.National Stage patent application Ser. No. 14/111,637 filed Dec. 9, 2013which claims the benefit from PCT International Patent ApplicationSerial No. PCT/EP2011/055841 filed Apr. 13, 2011, the entire disclosuresof the applications being considered part of the disclosure of thisapplication and hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinalgrooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apartlongitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, whereinneighbouring ends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by arespective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises aconnecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, wherein at least oneconnecting piece comprises engaging members engaging around thelongitudinal strips so that the strips are mounted in grooves formed bythe engaging members, wherein the strips and the connecting piece areslidably connected by means of a snap connection.

2. Related Art

Such a windscreen wiper device is known from European patent publicationno. 1 491 416 of the same Applicant. The prior art windscreen wiperdevice, like the windshield wiper device of the invention, is designedas a “flat blade” or “yokeless blade”, wherein use is no longer made ofseveral yokes pivotally connected to each other, but wherein the wiperblade is biassed by the carrier element, as a result of which itexhibits a specific curvature. In practice it is felt that, although theneighbouring ends of the longitudinal strips and the connecting pieces(in practice also called “end caps”) of the prior art windscreen wiperdevice are connected in a durable, solid manner, the position of thewiper blade between the end caps thereof could be better controlled.indeed, the tolerance of the rubber material of the wiper blade is a fewmillimeters and the design of the end caps leaves a space of also a fewmillimeters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to improve the prior art as indicatedabove, in particular to provide a windscreen wiper device, wherein thelongitudinal strips and the connecting pieces (“end caps”) areinterconnected in a durable, solid manner, and wherein the position ofthe wiper blade is better defined.

In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper device of thekind referred to in the introduction is characterized according to theinvention in that at least one pin extending in a directionperpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped engages the wiper blade at alocation of a hole in one of the longitudinal strips wherein the pin isarranged to block a longitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative tothe strip in a longitudinal direction thereof away from the connectingpiece. Accordingly, the wiper blade is not allowed to move in at leastone longitudinal direction with respect to the strip.

Particularly, both a moulding operation or an extrusion operation wouldensure that the wiper blade can be formed in a reliable and controllablemanner, without high costs as far as additional tools and equipment areconcerned.

Preferably, the hole has a closed circumference. In the alternative, thehole has an open circumference. In the latter case, the hole forms arecess. In particular, the snap connection comprises laterally extendingmeans on the strips, wherein the laterally extending means comprise atleast one protrusion extending laterally from an interior edge of eachstrip, the protrusion being located within the outer contour of eachstrip and between stops on the connecting piece, wherein the recess isformed within the outer contour of the strip by the protrusion and theinterior edge of the strip.

In one preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention the hole has an at least substantially U-shapedcross-section, wherein the pin is arranged to block a longitudinalmovement of the wiper blade relative to the strip in a longitudinaldirection thereof towards the connecting piece and away from theconnecting piece. Hence, opposite longitudinal movements of the wiperblade vis-a-vis the strip are blocked. In another preferred embodimentof a windscreen wiper device according to the invention the pin engagesinto the wiper blade at a location of a bottom of the grooveaccommodating the strip. Preferably, the pin is a separateconstructional element.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention at least two pins are provided, whereinthe pins are arranged to block a longitudinal movement of the wiperblade to the strips. In other words, a first pin is arranged to block alongitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative to one strip (awayfrom the connecting piece or away from the connecting piece and towardsthe connecting piece), whereas the second pin is arranged to block alongitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative to the other strip(again away from the connecting piece or away from the connecting pieceand towards the connecting piece).

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the pins are separate constructional elements. Inanother preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention the pins forming one separate constructional elementare interconnected by a transverse bridge. Particularly, the pins andthe transverse bridge are in one piece. More in particular, the oneseparate constructional element is U-shaped (i.e., in the form of astaple), wherein the separate constructional element having the U-shapeis held by the connecting piece. In other words, the connecting piecekeeps the U-shaped separate constructional element in place and thussecures it.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing awindscreen wiper device in accordance with the invention, whereinopposing longitudinal grooves are formed in the longitudinal sides of anelongate wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed inabutment with a windscreen to be wiped, in which grooves longitudinalstrips of a carrier element are subsequently fitted in spaced-apartrelationship, wherein neighbouring ends of the longitudinal strips areinterconnected by a respective connecting piece, wherein a connectingdevice is provided for an oscillating wiper arm, wherein the strips atleast one connecting piece are slidably connected by means of a snapconnection, wherein engaging members of the connecting piece engagearound the longitudinal strips, so that the strips are mounted ingrooves formed by the engaging members, characterized in that use ismade of at least one pin extending in a direction perpendicular to thewindscreen to be wiped, the pin engaging the wiper blade at a locationof a hole in one of the longitudinal strips formed, wherein the pin isarranged to block a longitudinal movement of the wiper blade relative tothe strip in a longitudinal direction thereof away from the connectingpiece.

THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of an end portion ofthe wiper blade;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged, fragmentary perspective views ofalternative embodiments of longitudinal strips;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged, fragmentary top perspective views showingalternative embodiments of connecting pieces assembled with the wiperblade end strips;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are bottom views corresponding to those of FIGS. 4A and4B, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional bottom viewsof alternative embodiments of wiper devices;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of parts of the windscreen wiper device ofFIG. 1, including a staple-like constructional element of the invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a free end of the windscreen wiper device of FIG. 1according to preferred embodiments, with the connecting piece takenaway, elucidating the function of the staple-like constructional elementof FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred variant of a windscreen wiper device 1according to the invention, the windscreen wiper device is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2 (FIG. 2), in the longitudinal sides ofwhich opposing longitudinal grooves 3 are formed, and of longitudinalstrips 4 made of spring band steel (FIG. 3), which are fitted in thelongitudinal grooves 3. The strips 4 form a flexible carrier element forthe rubber wiper blade 2, as it were, which is thus biassed in a curvedposition (the curvature in operative position being that of a windscreento be wiped). Neighbouring ends 5 of strips 4 are interconnected oneither side of the windscreen wiper device by means of plasticconnecting pieces 6 being separate constructional elements. Thewindscreen wiper device 1 is further equipped with a connecting device 7for an oscillating arm 8, and a spoiler 9. FIG. 4A shows a free end ofthe windscreen wiper device 1 of FIG. 1, whereas FIG. 5A reveals abottom view of the free end with the wiper blade 2 being present. FIGS.4A and 5A show only one free end of the windscreen wiper device (1) 1,as the rubber retention is only on one end of the windscreen wiperdevice 1, so that the rubber on the other end thereof can slide freely.FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B correspond to FIGS. 4A and 5A, respectively, but nowrelating to a preferred embodiment, wherein the wiper blade 2permanently extends beyond the connecting piece 6, i.e., sticks outthrough an opening in an end wall thereof in order to avoid contactbetween the connecting piece 6 and an A-pillar of a car, for example.Corresponding parts have been designated with the same referencenumerals.

With reference to FIG. 3A relating to atop view of the strips 4 as such,the strips 4 are each provided with a protrusion 10 extending laterallyfrom a longitudinal interior edge 11 of the strips 4. When a connectingpiece 6 is slidably mounted onto the neighbouring ends 5 of the strips4, a snap or clicking connection is realized, wherein the protrusions 10are snapped or clicked between stops 12 (“notches 12”) inside theconnecting piece 6. Each protrusion 10 rests in a small groove betweenthese opposing stops 12. Accordingly, the strips 4 are blocked againstany movement in longitudinal direction with respect to the connectingpieces 6. Each connecting piece 6 is also provided with two engagingmembers 13 made integral therewith, wherein the engaging members 13engage around the strips 4 so as to form a groove 14 for sliding thestrips 4 therein. The engaging members 13 ensure that the strips 4 areblocked against any movement in transversal direction with respect tothe connecting pieces 6. Each connecting piece 6 has a cavity toaccommodate the free end of the spoiler 9. The stop 12 facing away fromthe free end of the connecting piece 6 is equipped with an inclinedupper surface, so that sliding the connecting piece 6 onto the strips 4does not take too much force, whereas once the protrusion 10 restsinside the groove dismounting the connecting piece 6 from the strips 4cannot take place easily. The stop 12 facing towards the free end of theconnecting piece 6 also ensures that the strips 4 are kept at a mutualconstant distance, as the upper end of each strip 4 is located betweenthe stop 12 and a (side) wall of the connecting piece 6. Still referringto FIG. 3A, the protrusion 10 and the interior edge 11 of each strip 4define a first recess 15 at the outer end thereof, as well as a secondrecess 16. In case a separate constructional element 17 according to theinvention, as shown in FIG. 7, having a U-shape with legs or pins 18 anda base or transverse bridge 19 is mounted inside the connecting piece 6,such that each pin 18 reaches through the first recess 15 of arespective strip 4 inside a bottom of a respective groove 3 of the wiperblade 2, then the wiper blade 2 would be blocked relative to the strips4 against a longitudinal movement away from (the end wall 20 of) theconnecting piece 6. Any longitudinal movement of the wiper blade 2vis-a-vis the strips 4 in a direction towards the end wall is thenblocked by the end wall 20. In other words, the extremity of the wiperblade 2 comes in contact with the end wall 20 of connecting piece 6.Alternatively, in case a separate constructional element 17 according tothe invention, as shown in FIG. 7, having a U-shape with the legs orpins 18 and the base or transverse bridge 19 is mounted inside theconnecting piece 6, such that each pin 18 reaches through the secondrecess 16 of a respective strip 4 inside a bottom of a respective groove3 of the wiper blade 2, then the wiper blade 2 would be blocked relativeto the strips 4 against a longitudinal movement both away from (the endwall 20) a towards (the end wall 20) of the connecting piece 6. In caseof recess 16 or hole 16 both embodiments of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B can beused. FIG. 3B corresponds to FIG. 3A, but now relating to a preferredembodiment, wherein a hole 16 with a closed circumference is present inboth strips 4. Corresponding parts have been designated with the samereference numerals.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6a and 6b , the recesses/holes 16 of thestrips 4 each comprise a pin 18 of the U-shaped constructional element17 for blocking relative longitudinal movements of the wiper blade (2)vis-a-vis the strips 4 in the direction of the arrows 21 and 22. FIG. 7is an exploded view of a free end of the windscreen wiper device 1showing the wiper blade 2, the longitudinal strips 4, the staple-likeconstructional element 17 having two pins 18 and a base 19 all in onepiece, as well as a connecting piece 6 or “end cap”. FIG. 7 shows twotypes of end caps, as the present invention can be used for these twotypes of end caps, namely an end cap with an end wall 20 (also called aclosed end cap of FIG. 4A) designated with reference numeral 6, and anend cap with an opening 23 (also called an open end cap of FIG. 4B)designated with reference numeral 6′, so that the wiper blade 2 maystick out beyond the end cap 6′, through the opening 23, whether or notpermanently.

FIG. 8 shows more in detail how the constructional element 17 ismounted, namely that the base 19 thereof is located on top of the wiperblade 2, while the pins 18 thereof are stamped through the flexiblematerial of the wiper blade 2 into the recesses 16, as shown in FIG. 6.In both embodiments of FIGS. 8A and SB corresponding with FIGS. 4A, 5Aand 4B, 5B, respectively, the connecting pieces 6, 6 are depicted indashed lines. FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, whereincorresponding parts have been designated with the same referencenumerals.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, butextends also to other embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrierelement, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material,which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, whichwiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinalsides, said grooves being spaced below a top portion of said wiperblade, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrierelement are disposed, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinalstrips are interconnected by connecting pieces, which windscreen wiperdevice comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm,wherein said connecting pieces are made as separate pieces and arespaced longitudinally from said connecting device and comprise engagingmembers engaging around the longitudinal strips, so that said strips aremounted in grooves formed by said engaging members, wherein said stripsand said at least one connecting piece are slidably connected by meansof a snap connection, wherein at least one pin extends in a directionperpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped through said top portion ofsaid wiper blade and through a hole in one of said longitudinal stripsand engages into said wiper blade at a location of a bottom of saidgroove accommodating said strip, wherein said pin is arranged to block alongitudinal movement of said wiper blade relative to said strip in alongitudinal direction thereof away from said at least one connectingpiece, and wherein said pin is located adjacent a terminal end of saidelongated wiper blade.
 2. A windscreen wiper device according to claim1, wherein said hole has a closed or open circumference.
 3. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein the snap connecting comprisesat least one protrusion extending laterally from an interior edge ofeach strip, said protrusion being located within the outer contour ofeach strip and between stops on the connecting piece, and wherein saidhole is formed within the outer contour of said strip by said protrusionand the interior edge of said strip.
 4. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim I, wherein said hole has an at least substantiallyU-shaped cross-section, and wherein said pin is arranged to block alongitudinal movement of said wiper blade relative to said strip in alongitudinal direction thereof towards said connecting piece and awayfrom said connecting piece.
 5. A windscreen wiper device according toclaim 1, wherein said pins are separate constructional element.
 6. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein at least two pinsare provided, and wherein said pins are arranged to block a longitudinalmovement of said wiper blade relative to said strips.
 7. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 6, wherein said pins are separateconstructional elements
 8. A windscreen wiper device according to claim7, wherein said pins forming one separate constructional element areinterconnected by a transverse bridge.
 9. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein said pins and said transverse bridge arein one piece.
 10. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 9,wherein said one separate constructional element is U-shaped.
 11. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 10, wherein said separateconstructional element having said U-shape is held by said connectingpiece.
 12. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, whereinsaid at least one pin is covered by said connecting piece.
 13. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, said at least one pin ispierced through said top portion of said wiper blade and into said wiperblade at the bottom of said groove.
 14. A method for manufacturing awindscreen wiper device, wherein opposing longitudinal grooves areformed in the longitudinal sides of an elongate wiper blade of aflexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen tobe wiped, in which grooves longitudinal strips of a carrier element aresubsequently fitted in spaced-apart relationship, wherein neighbouringends of the longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respectiveconnecting piece, wherein a connecting device is provided for anoscillating wiper arm, wherein the strips and at least one connectingpiece are slidably connected by means of a snap connection, whereinengaging members of the connecting piece engage around the longitudinalstrips, so that the strips are mounted in grooves formed by the engagingmembers, wherein use is made of at least one pin extending in adirection perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped, the pin engagingthe wiper blade at a location of a hole in one of the longitudinalstrips, wherein the pin is arranged to block a longitudinal movement ofthe wiper blade relative to the strip in a longitudinal directionthereof away from the connecting piece.